WRC have published a number of 'how to' guides, with tips on a variety of things you can do as an organisation to ensure your long term sustainability, from building partnerships to understanding current government policy to engaging with the parliamentary process. Please see below for the guides we have published so far. We will be updating this page regularly, so please keep checking back for new 'how to...' guides!
How to... make the case for women-only services
This guide gives an overview of the different policy and legal tools women can use to argue for a women-only service in their area or help to protect an existing women-only organisation. It highlights useful evidence you can use to back up arguments for women-only spaces and gives case studies on a range of organsations who work in fields such as violence against women, mental health and women's leadership.
This guide will give you advice on what to do if you or your organisation are challenged on the need for women-only services, including key messages and how to seek a judicial review.
How to... engage with the Localism Agenda
Following the election of the Coalition government in May 2010, there has been a raft of policy changes alongside drastic public sector spending cuts. One of the key strategies introduced by the government is Localism, a series of policies designed to decentralise power and devolve decision-making to a local level.
This 'how to' guide provides an update now that the Localism Act has come into force and gives an overview of the Act and other measures connected to Localism in order to highlight how the changes could potentially affect women’s organisations and where there are particular challenges or opportunities.
How to... develop a women's network or forum
Women's organisations are experts in knowing how best to stop discrimination, violence against women and gender equality. It is crucial that women's organisations are heard and working collectively strengthens the voice of the women's sector. This guide draws upon learning from women's networks and forums across England and addresses typical questions that arise when developing a network.
WRC provide training and one-to-one support on developing women's networks across the country - please visit our Stronger Together project page for more details.
How to... influence parliament
The Women’s Resource Centre commissioned Parliamentary Outreach to produce the following toolkit which outlines ways in which women’s organisations can engage with parliament.
The toolkit focuses on the three key topics: engagement methods (PDF 730KB), campaigning and communicating (Word 106KB) and top tips (Word 30KB).
For further information about Parliamentary Outreach please visit their website.